Contents.

CONTENTS .

EDITORIAL : PROPOSED UNITED GRAND LODGE OF NEW ZEALAND 315 PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF ESSEX ... 31 (> PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SOMERSET 310 SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER 317 MASONIC POET ' S CORNER— " THE HOURS WE SPEND

TOGETHER "; " A MASONIC GLEE " 317 PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF MONMOUTHSHIRE 317 ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE ... 318 MARK MASONRY 318 GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND 319

ROYAL ARCH MASONRY 319 OUR TRESTLE BOARD 320 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 320 REVIEW 320 ( i WHITE FOR—BLACK AGAINST " 320 & 321 METROPOLITAN LODGE AND CHAPTER MEETINGS FOR THE

CURRENT WEEK 321 GLEANINGS 322 ADVERTISEMENTS Front cover , 314 , 322 , 323 , 321

Proposed United Grand Lodge Of New Zealand.

Proposed United Grand Lodge of New Zealand .

INGE our last issue we learn , by our advices , that the number of Lodges in favour of the proposed formation of a Grand Lodge for New Zealand is steadily increasing , and

that the agitation being now vigorously worked in that Colony is establishing a confidence that , before the close of

the present year , an independent Sovereign Grand Lodge will be an accomplished fact . The advocates of the change are amongst the leaders of the Craft , and have the

successful examples of other Colonies to guide and encourage them . They consider that no solid arguments have been adduced by those who are at present opposed to

their proposal . There seems to be a fairly warranted anticipation that the advent of so experienced a brother as Lord Onslow , and the knowledge that he has discussed

the matter with H . R . H . the M . W . Grand Master of England , whose prompt and generous recognition of other Colonial Grand Lodges goes strongly to prove that the Masonic

autonomy of the Colonies under the Southern Cross is really desired by English rulers , will prove a potent factor in securing the success of the organisation . And the

same may be said of the Scotch and Irish rulers ; so that altogether it w ould appear that in the face of such evident desire for a peaceful separation from the Mother Grand

Lodges , the opponents of this widespread movement in New Zealand cannot be congratulated on their wisdom or foresight . They may delay its advent for

awhile , but as surely as the Moa existed in the land of the Maori , or that there earthquakes do occasionally alter the

face of Nature , so surely will Masonic self-government in New Zealand speedily become an established fact , and then , when its many solid benefits manifest themselves , the

Proposed United Grand Lodge Of New Zealand.

wonder will be that anybody , even old-time brethren , ever opposed it . The Executive Committee of the Auckland Masonic Branch of the proposed Union state that while Freemasonry

has been in existence in the Colony for nearly half a century , it has been found impossible to establish Masonic Charities of any character upon a broad and permanent basis , on account of the unfortunate division of the Craft

into a number of Constitutions ; and that the establishment of a United Grand Lodge of New Zealand would obviate the difficulty by concentrating the Charity of the Craft

into one channel , and the foundation and endowment of local Masonic Benevolent Institutions would have , as in other Colonies , a decidedly beneficial effect in stimulating and promoting the Charity of the Brethren .

In our former remarks we referred to and appended a financial statement , which set forth the practical results of Freemasonry in the Auckland district in relation to working expenses and products in aid of Charity , and contrasted

the same with the income , expenses and subscriptions in connection with the Benevolent Institutions of our " home " province of West Lancashire . The following statements accompanying the circular we have cited , afford an amount

of interesting information meriting the consideration of Freemasons generally , and particularly of those who desire to stimulate and carry into effect the Charity of the Craft . They will also instruct many of our " home " brethren as

to the spread of the Order in a Colony wherein they have attachments of relationship or friendship , in regard to which the bond of Masonic union is rather strengthened than weakened by distance and prolonged separation .

The following is the estimated saving that will be effected by the establishing of the United Grand Lodge of New Zealand : —

£ s . d . Average Working Expenses of the three Grand Lodges in Auckland .. 273 11 2 Fees remitted Home .. .. .. .. 130 8 6 403 19 8 1 Lodge under new Constitution 120 0 0

Saving in this District .. .. 283 19 8 Taking all New Zealand the following will be the result : —

AT PRESENT— £ s . d . 5 D . Grand Lodges ( English ) ] 9 . Total j 3 P . do . ( Scotch ) V Average V 915 0 0 1 P . do . ( Irish ) ) Expenses )

FUTURE—1 Grand Lodge and 4 P . Grand Lodges , 5 . ) g ^_ 0 Q Estimated Expenses J 400 0 0 The average amount of Fees sent per annum from New Zealand to the Grand Lodges of England , Ireland , and Scotland is about .. 500 0 0 Making a saving in New Zealand of £ 900 0 0